Dana White On Herb Dean's Rough Year After UFC 332

UFC CEO Dana White conceded that referee Herb Dean is enduring a difficult stretch after another contentious stoppage at UFC 332 in Salt Lake City.

Dean waved off the lightweight clash between King Green and Esteban Ribovics in the opening round Saturday night after Green hit the canvas three times in quick succession. Green, who remained conscious throughout, told followers he wanted the chance to keep fighting. He approached Dean immediately after the stoppage, according to MMA Mania.

White Breaks Silence On Dean's Recent Struggles

White addressed the controversy at the post-fight press conference. He acknowledged the referee's recent run of questionable calls while defending the decision itself. Dean has drawn fire from multiple UFC fighters in recent months, including Alex Pereira, Andre Fili, Michel Pereira, and Henry Cejudo.

Green posted a video response after the fight. He said he told Dean during the stoppage that things were about to get messy and asked to go out on his shield. The 40-year-old insisted he felt fine and wanted to continue, adding that he plans to return soon.

The loss ended Green's four-fight winning streak and dropped his record to 36-18-1 with one no contest. Ribovics improved to 17-3 with his second straight technical knockout finish and third bout of 2026. Green and Ribovics exchanged heated words in the lead-up to the fight, making the early stoppage particularly frustrating for the American lightweight.

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• MMA Mania — Dana White finally admits Herb Dean having ‘rough f—king year’ after screwy UFC 332 stoppage, King Green reacts